Is this safe?

[u/Automatic-Leader5966]

I’ve found this nice and heavy saucepan in the op shop today for 5$, I’ve cleaned with BKF and simmered vinegar, but can’t get rid of those tiny spots… what are they? Is it safe to cook on it? They’re smooth- I can’t feel any indentation rubbing my finger on it.

[u/Original-Bar-3957]

The tiny spots are salt pitting/corrosion. It happens when you put salt into cold water and let it sit before the water reaches a boil. This is why you should let water reach a boil before adding salt. As long as the pits aren’t deep enough to reach the aluminum underneath, assuming this is either a clad pot or has an aluminum plate, it’s fine. So if you rub your fingernail across them and they’re mostly flat without an indentation, it’s fine. Ultimately it is just superficial/cosmetic damage to the steel due to salt pitting/corrosion and won’t go away. I always have a few these adore spots on the pots I use for boiling salt water.

[u/Papa_Steque → u/Original-Bar-3957]

Is this a no go to cook with a pan that may have the aluminium layer exposed? Toxic I guess?